Collapsible boat



Nov. 5, 1940. w. H. M ALjSTER 2,220,608

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed April 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 $5 Z INVE NTOR 5.M/z/i M wi y/519a A ORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATESCOLLAI'SIBLE BOAT William H. McAlister, Elmhurst, Long Island,

N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to himself and John GordonSparks, Long Island City,

Application April 9, 1938, Serial No. 201,127

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a collapsible boat, wherein a structural framehas been designed which will truly collapse into a minimum space forcarrying, and over which a flexible shell is mounted and then stretchedby the frame itself, to form a tight and rigid boat. The principalobject of the invention is to provide a collapsible boat which may bepacked into a very small space, and which is entirely portable and canbe handled by one person.

The envelope forming the hull of the boat is completely formed into onepiece which is flexible, and may be removed from the frame and foldedinto a convenient package. The framework likewise collapses into smallsections which may be folded to small dimensions and packed with theflexible envelope.

A small boat of this type is very desirable since the wide use of theautomobile, in that it may be l packed into the car, and taken on tripsto lakes light material,.such as Duralumin.

Many attempts have been made to design such a boat, but few haveconceived the advantages of a light metal framework, with the joiningpossibilities afforded by the metal, and its consequent rigidity. Anumber of mechanical shapes of suitable design may be used for theframework, such as tubing, angles, T-bars, or channels, and any one ofthese may be adapted with equal advantage. Most of the collapsible boatsare of wooden construction, and are therefore subject to depreciation inthe weather, as well as requiring considerable attention as regardspainting. These wooden boats are all subject to the furtherdepreciation, in that each time they are taken down, the wooden partsbecome worn, and joints soon depreciate to a rickety condition. Theapplicants boat is free from all of these disadvantages, and is sodesigned as to at all times furnish a perfectly rigid boat, as the frameis never subject to change, either by weather conditions or wear due tothe continual collapsing and erecting. Furthermore, in the old type ofwooden boat with a flexible hull made from canvas or other textile,there is seldom any provision made to tighten up against the canvas,which is constantly stretching or shrinking. Unless this adjustablefeature is provided, the canvas stretches considerably upon becomingwet, and sags on the frame while the boat is in use. The applicants boatprovides a full adjustment for tightening the canvas at all sition. Theframework is made with as many of its joints permanent folding joints aspossible,

with a minimum number of joints to be made upon erection. After theunits are set up, the applicant preferably provides screw-threadedmembers operating on the principle of the turnbuckle, with one righthand thread, and one left hand thread, thereby providing the easyinsertion of the frame into the envelope and the expansion of the frametherein to provide a perfectly tight hull.

Applicant has provided a beading around the top of his hull so as toform an edge, which, when the frame is expanded in the hull, provides ameans to prevent any tendency of the hull to slip from the frame. Thisarrangement, which would consist normally of a rope bound in the topedge of the hull, forms-a very strong top on the hull, and reduces theperiphery of the hull to less than the periphery of the frame.Obviously, when the framework is expanded into the hull, the hullenvelope cannot be removed'from the frame until I the frame iscontracted. This not only provides a very strong and safe structure, butalso prevents any possibility of the hull being stretched by theexpansion of the frame to the point of rupture.

The preferred embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawingsforming part of this specification is confined to a flat bottomed boatof the rowboat type. However, it is to be understood that any of theother forms of hull may be erence is made to the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the boat completely assembled.

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-4 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail, showing the arrangement of the beadededge of the flexible hull in its position against the framework.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the members of the upperframework.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the members of the lowerframework.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the framework of the upper partof the stern of the boat.

Figure '7 is a perspective view showing the framework of the lower partof the stern of the boat.

Figure 8 is a detailed view showing the method of attaching the lateralmembers into the gunwales of the boat.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the hingedjoints used in place of the preferred joints shown in the structure.

In the drawings, I is a flexible envelope hull which may be made fromcanvas, rubber impregnated fabric, or any other material which willserve the purpose. This flexible envelope is preferably sewed togetherto the exact shape of the boat when finished. The envelope will consistessentially of a bottom 2, sides 3 and 4, and a stern piece 5. Anyconvenient or standard method of lapping the seams or joining the fabrictogether will be suitable, so long as the envelope is one piece whenfinished, and is suitable to fold. At the upper edge of the envelope I,is an edge 6 which is turned over a rope I, and sewed. This rope 1 formsa substantial bead 8 which trims the entire top edge of the envelope. Inorder to expand the envelope and properly support it so as to make it arigid boat, a framework is constructed from tubing or any structuralshape, and may be from any material, preferably Duralumin, which has thetensile strength of iron, but is much lighter in weight. This frameworkconsists essentially of a top bow piece 9, formed V-shaped with arms IIIand I I. At the center of the bow piece 9 is attached member I2, whichforms the prow of the boat. This piece may be attached by any hingedmeans. In describing the joints, the same numbers are used for bothsides of the boat wherein the parts are duplicates. The ends of the armsIn and II are joined by a pivot pin I3 into a U-shaped socket I4 whichis preferably turned downward, as shown in Figure 8. The part I4 has anadditional hole at its center for receiving a lateral U-shaped memberI5, to which it is rigidly attached. The part I4 also has an additionalhinged pin I6 which receives extensions I1 and IB. These extensionsterminate in a U-shaped piece I9 which is more clearly shown in Figure2. This U- shaped piece I9 has two pivots, 29 and 2|. The pivot 28provides a hinge: point for the extensions l I and I8. The part I9 haspivots 21 for receiving the end of a threaded stud, 22, which hasturnbuckle joints 23 threaded thereto. To form the lower part of theprow structure, reference is made to Figure 5, in which a V-shape member24 is similar to part 9. At the vertex of this member, a bolt 25 isprovided with a cotter pin 25, for attaching member I2 by means of hole21. The lateral member I5, shown in Figure 4, is adapted to set intohinge type brackets 28, which are connected by pivots 29 to the U-shaped member 24. The connection of the part 28 to the lateral member I5is made by a loose pivot adapted to set through the hole 38 in the part28, and hole 3| in lateral member I5. Extending from the bracket 28 bymeans of hinge pins 32, are'extension arms 33 and 34, whichare'equivalent in length to arms I! and I8, shown in Figure 4. Thesearms terminate in U-shaped hinged brackets 35, which are opened downwardand have hinge pins 36. The lateral member 31 is U-shaped and extendsthrough the holes in the brackets 35, and upward to form terminals whichrest in openings in the hinge brackets I9,

and are secured thereto by pins mounted in holes 38. Likewise, there areholes 39 in the lateral uprights for receiving the same pin. Attached bypivots an to the brackets 35, are bolts M which are threaded on one endto receive turnbuckle connections 42.

Referring to Figure 6, the upper section of the stern frame consists ofa U-shaped lateral member 43. The member 43 is rigidly attached to aU-shaped bracket 45 at a center position. Extending from U-shaped.bracket 45 toward the front of the boat, is a bolt 46 which has athreaded end for receiving the turn buckle nuts 23. Extending from theother side of bracket 45, and hinged thereto, is extension arm 41, whichterminates at a hinge pin 48, mounted in U-shaped bracket 49. Thebracket 49 has another hinge pin 50 to which is attached extensions 5|.Extensions 5| terminate in hinge pins 52 mounted in a rear cross-member53, forming the top member of the stern of the boat. Hinged at the samepivots 52, is a lateral U-shaped member 54, which forms the lower partof the stern of the boat. Extendingfrom the lateral bracket 54 are flattabs 55 with holes therein.

Referring to Figure 7, this drawing shows the lower structure forforming the stern of the boat, and consists of a rigid lateral bracket56, its upturned ends having holes 51 therein. Hingedly mounted to thisbracket 56 are two 'U-shaped clips 58, which have hinge pins 59 and 60at their extremities. Attached to the hinge pin 68 are members 6|, whichhave holes 62 for bolting to clips 55, shown in Figure 6. Extending fromhinge pin 59 are arms 63 which terminate at hinge pivots 64 mounted inclips 65. The clips are U-shaped and open at the top, and are the sameas clip 28 previously described and shown in Figure 5. Mounted on pivots66 are bolts 61 with screw threads formed thereon for connectin into theturnbuckle nuts 42. At the center of the bracket 65, the metal has beenturned down to form tabs 68 which form a support and rest for thelateral bracket 43, shown in'Figure 6. The lateral bracket 43 isattached at this point by bolts which pass through openings 69 in theclip 65, and through openings ID in the lateral bracket 43.

It is obvious that the top of the hinged joint is subject to aconsiderable modification, and if the frame Work should be cast or madefrom bar metal, a structure such as shown in Figure 9 would be practicaland affords the advantage of being self-locking in one direction.

Referring to Figure 4, it is obvious that this structure may be foldedup to form a flat unit, by merely hinging the parts 9 and I2 together,then hinging 9 against I5, then hinging I1 and I8 against I5. Thehinging is so constructed as to permit the proper movement forcollapsing, but is self-locking in the other direction.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be noted that the same is true as inFigure 4a The units 24 and 33 may be folded together, and then againstthe lateral bracket 3?, then arms 4| may be folded against bracket 3'1.This again forms a flat unit, with the hinging so arranged as tocompletely collapse in one direction, and to be entirely locked in theother direction. Referring to Figure 6, it will be noted that thehinging is so arranged that lateral bracket 54 may be folded againstextension 5! wherein turn arms 5| will fold against extensions 41, thenin turn against extensions 43. The bolts 46 fold against lateral bracket43. This structure therefore collapses into a perfectly fiat element fortransporting, but if extended, the hinges are self-locking againstcollapsing in the other direction.

Referring to Figure 7, it will be noted that the extensions 6| may befolded downward; likewise extensions 63 may be folded downward, whereasbolts 61 may be folded upward to form a flat unit. Likewise the bracket56 may be turned completely around pivoting in the bracket 58,conforming and lying parallel to the extensions 6! and 63. The sameanalysis may be made to each of the figures showing the structure, andit will be noted that the self-locking type of hinge It, as shown inFigure 4, has been applied throughout the four structural elements ofthe framework into a flat element for handling, but that in no instancedoes the hinging occur in the direction between the top and the bottomelements of the frame. In other words, when the frame of the boat is puttogether, all of the hinges are positioned so as their self-lockingfunction is acting against the equivalent hinges in the lower frame.This causes the frame to have a rigid assembly which cannot be collapsedexcept by removing the assembly pins. Likewise, the intermediatetransverse brackets 31 and 5B are connected to the upper frame. Thehinges are so arranged as to be held in their locked position byassembly pins operating through the lateral bracket and the hingeitself.

In assembling the boat, the bow shown in Figure 4 and the bottom of thebow shown in Figure 5, are first joined together, then the stern of theboat, using the structure shown in Figures 6 and '7, is fastenedtogether. The bow is then joined to the stern by turning the turnbucklenuts 23 and 42, which have right hand threads in one end, and left handthreads in the other end, so that they will join the structurestogether. This threading in the nuts 23 and 42 obviously contracts orexpands the frame structure in its length. While the frame structure issomewhat contracted, the envelope hull is placed over it, and then thenuts 23 and 42 are rotated in a direction to cause a linear expansion ofthe frame. This expansion causes the frame to engage the envelope and tostretch it to any pre-determined extent; furthermore, as the boat isused in the water and the envelope swells, additional tightening may beaccomplished by the same nuts.

It will be particularly noted that the framework is slipped under thebead 8, and that inasmuch as the inner periphery of the bead 8 is lessthan the normal periphery of the boat at its upper edge, that when theframe is expanded into the boat, it will be impossible to remove theenvelope.

The structure as described and illustrated shows the simplest form ofboat, but obviously this could be extended to a considerable extent byadding other units built along the same princi- 'ples; and althoughhinged joints are all shown as very simple and of a practical nature, itis obviously within the scope of'this' invention to use any type ofjoint which would properly connect the members and produce the rigidityrequired.

It is to be pointed out that in every instance the applicant has soarranged his joints as to have the opening and locking action check, oneagainst the other, when the boat is assembled. This produces a veryrigid frame which cannot collapse while in use. Furthermore, theexpanding feature wherein a substantially fixed envelope is used as ahull and the frame expands longitudinally therein to form a rigidstructure, is particularly desirable in a boat where a maximum amount ofinner space is desired, and therefore prohibits cross-members.

Obviously, in collapsing the frame of the boat, it is only necessary toremove the loose pins joining the members, whereupon the frame separatesinto two parts; the upper part consisting of the gunwales and theuprights attached thereto, and the lower frame with the cross-membersattached thereto. This avoids the necessity of removing the turnbuckles.However, for the sake of making the specification entirely clear, theapplicant has chosen to illustrate and describe each of the fourindependent elements separately, wherein the turnbuckles aredisconnected.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired tobe secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A collapsible boat comprising a framework and a flexible preformedenvelope constituting the hull therefor, said framework including acontinuous upper edge member comprising rod elements and meansinterposed in the edge member between the rod elements for varying thelength of the edge member, said hull member including a flexible bodyportion and a continuous uninterrupted flexible substantiallynon-extensible upper edge element of slightly less peripheral lengththan the upper edge member secured to said flexible body portion wherebyupon increasing the length of the edge member the frictional engagementbetween the edge member and the non-extensible edge element constitutesthe sole attachment between the frame and hull.

2. A collapsible boat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rope elementconstitutes said flexible non-extensible upper edge element, and whereinsaid element is shorter than the upper edge member by such a smallamount that the element may not lie entirely within the boat.

3. A boat as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rope member constitutes saidupper edge element, and wherein said rope member is shorter than theupper edge of the frame by such an amount that frictional engagementbetween the rope, body portion, and frame constitutes the soleengagement between said cover and frame, and at the same time the ropemay not lie entirely Within the frame.

4. A collapsible boat comprising a hinged collapsible framework and aflexible preformed envelope constituting the hull therefor, saidframework including a continuous upper edge member comprising rodelements, means interposed in said edge member between certain of therod elements for varying the length of the edge member, and hinge meansinterposed between certain ing the frame within the cover and increasingthe length of the upper edge member of the latter, the frictionalengagement between the edge member and non-extensible elementconstitutes the sole attachment between the frame and cover. 5

WILLIAM H. MCALISTER.

